13.3.23
We both woke up wondering if all our bones were broken, although we had slept pretty well.
Finished packing, and went in search of snacks and Banh mi rolls for the journey.
We must be in the cheapest area of Danang. We had a few dong to get rid of thinking it would just about be enough but everything was less than half what we’ve been used to paying.

We even saw the steamed buns Laurens been looking for all week.

Ordered a Grab taxi.
We saw the homestays son, he’d clearly been sleeping in what we thought was a cupboard under the eaves off the staircase.
Any thought of leaving a bad review for this place vanished, it’s all relative. Our room would be luxury to them and after all worked out at £7 for the night.

Close to the airport and just a few hours, it had met the brief.
No sign of the scary lady, a well groomed smiley lady said goodbye to us.

Smooth check in, Air Asia, Danang to KL.

Changed the last few dong along with some ringets from the ringet challenge and got 100 Turkish lira in exchange.

Straightforward flight, sat in different rows which gave me catch up blogging time and our pre booked Basil chicken and Lemak were ok.

Arrived at KL just over 2 hours later, bag collection, passport control, and KLIA express train to other terminal, 2 ringets each, check in at Etihad desk straightforward, passport control again, security out of order.

Had 2 drinks at the White Coffee cafe using up the rest of the ringets with the odd coins going in the donation box.

The almost 3 hours wait soon went and we then had to get a shuttle bus over to the other side of the airport into a seperate building to the C gates.
Boarded and off bang on time.

John had an autication with the girl next to him who was trying to squeeze her bag on top of my cpap machine.
Later another autication with the guy behind who was poking him in the back while using the touch screen.
He asked John what his problem was, he’d already had a go at the girl next to him about her bag and should relax and enjoy himself.
Normally I’d have a little snigger and think he deserved it but I calmly explained it was because it’s valuable medical equipment, So I should transport it seperately he said, I am – it’s an allowed extra piece of hand luggage.
So what should he do about the touch screen he asked. Press it gently I replied calmly, after all the guy in front of John has no issues. He shut up then.
Autication done. Next row and he’s on his own.The rest of the time went smoothly. I caught up on 8 days blogging.
It’s a pain, it’s like having homework hanging over you, but so nice to read back on.
The next stage is to paste into WordPress and upload photos when we have internet again.

There was a choice of fish, pasta or beef and rice, just beef by the time they got to us. Would have chosen that anyway. It was quite nice, and the creme caramel was really good.

John watched Everything, Everywhere All at Once which has just won lots of awards.
He enjoyed it but confirmed it wouldn’t be for me.

Next flight Abu Dhabi to Istanbul, just 4 and a half hours.

Straightforward, but couldn’t sleep as a Ukranian lady behind me had a child on her lap who periodically had a grizzle and kicked the back of my seat. She was on her way back to Ukraine ss she was missing her husband who is flighting. She certainly didn’t need me tutting, I could sleep later, she probably hadn’t slept properly for months.

Our flight landed 35 minutes early in İstanbul at 5am. Great as our next flight was 7.45am. We knew it could be tight timing.

I must have been dozy as no recollection of what we ate on the 3rd flight

Passport control was empty, bag collection was quick and security through to Domestic was fast moving.

Even time to buy Baileys and Martini and almost an hour to spare before our 4th and final flight.

The usual Turkish Airlines white cheese and pesto panini. Usually soggy but we got them before the condensation had time to seep into the bread.

It was lovely to get home, 28 hours door to door.

The dogs weren’t as excited to see us as usual. Debbie, Ibo and Steve had obviously looked after them too well. Thanks so much.

We had a message from our friend Martha, we left our car near to her house close to the airport bus stop. She’d seen us and said we should have popped in. Her long time partner Andy had been very ill since December and hadn’t wanted visitors before. Now he was on morphine and it was ok to visit.

We’ll always regret not jumping in the car and going round because later Martha messaged to say he’d passed that afternoon, with a weak smile having his birthday cake.

So very sad. One of lifes perfect gentlemen, kind and funny.

He and Martha were just wonderful together. So cruel that they didn’t have longer.

Rest in Peace dear Andy, and Martha, we send you loads of love.